The importance of animal research increases with time, and appropri- ate planning and management of facilities is guarantee. Not only to protect staff and animal health, but also enable standardization of animal experiments to make stable physiological traits in experimental animals. The Laboratory Animal Center considers animal welfare and hope to meet international certification standards.

Bone team: C-H Chen, C-I Su, C-M Yu, S-W Whu, H-T Liu, C Chen

We use tissue engineering technology to develop a scaffold and stem cells were cultured in this novel composite for bone regeneration. Biomechanical, histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed bone defect repair and regeneration are feasible.

We developed a BMP-2 hydrogel. Periosteal precursor cells combined with the hydrogel to enhance ACL and rotator cuff repair. This treatment can promote the formation of fibrous cartilage. We also developed cell sheet technology to form an artificial periosteum, and it enhance tendon-bone healing.

Spine team: I-C Wang, C-B Wong, S-W Whu, M-Y Wu

We proposed a rat’s model of animal experiments. The high-pressure oxygen reduced spinal disc degeneration due to decreased amount of iNOs and IL-1β significantly. We developed human bone morphogenetic protein-2 hydrogel material, combined ligamentum flavum cells, and accorded to tissue engineering to regenerate new bone formation. This technology can apply to spinal fusion surgery in future.

This year, we were very productive, with numerous presentations at all of the main conferences, including ISL&T, TOS, ESSKA, SICOT/SIROT, and APOSSM.